Letter from Exile #6: Public Prayers for Changing Hearts and Building Hope

October 14th, 2025 |

As a public intellectual, it is difficult not diving into raging waters that mark our social media. I am deeply disturbed by the venomous language and vicious attacks on people that do not agree with one perspective. I have made a vow not to label or libel, rejecting personal attacks in favor of reasoned argument. Friends, this is really hard when vilification and ad hominem attacks are the new normal for so many. When some public figures open their mouths or post, I have visceral reactions. But the world is not a better place when I just share my initial gut feelings (apart from obvious joyful moments or tragedies). Taking time for processing and offering thoughtful responses is how we build a more civil society.

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Letter from Exile #5: Public Prayers in a Time of Tumult

September 30th, 2025 |

The shockwaves of the assassination of Charlie Kirk continue reverberating across the USA and around the world. I deeply lament this violence and pray for his grieving widow and her children. I am waiting for some time to pass before I place Charlie and his work in historical perspective. I am mourning persecution of nearly 400 million Christian around the world. I am praying for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine. I am lamenting and calling out antisemitism. At the same time, I am hopeful, because there are signs of genuine spiritual awakening – especially among young adults – that antedate these recent events and point to a positive longing for love and truth in Christ. I am rejoicing in the thousands of local churches and millions of Christians doing good every day.

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Letters from Exile #4: Being Human, Part 3: Liberation from Ideological Captivity

August 30th, 2025 |

As we aim for peaceable discussion and principled consensus concerning human flourishing in a pluralistic society, awareness of ideological influences is important for clarity and conversation. So much public discourse is talking around or over one another, instead of thoughtful engagement of issues.

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Letter from Exile #3: Being Human, Part 2

August 22nd, 2025 |

Thank you for your desire for thoughtful reflection. My aim is the renewal of civil and insightful conversation in the public square. My life has been shaped by positive examples of women and men fiercely debating important issues without personal insults. I have been influenced as well by historical analysis of three centuries of political, religious, and social diversity within a framework of mutual respect. As mentioned in my first letter, America’s founding affirmations of freedom of religion and redress, assembly and speech are a positive historical influence.

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Letters from Exile #2: Being Human in an Age of Artifice, Part 1

August 5th, 2025 |

As a public intellectual I am often asked what I think are the most important moral and social issues of our day. And there are many. My starting point is always reverence for God and response to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Humankind, unique among all animate creation, is deeply spiritual and we will only find our true identity and purpose when we surrender our sovereignty to King Jesus. St. Augustine, in his opening lines of Confessions, was correct when we declared, “You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”

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